House GOP blocks Dems’ unanimous‑consent bid for military pay; Johnson says stand‑alone vote ‘pointless’
During a pro forma session, Democrats sought unanimous consent to pass a stand‑alone military pay bill — Rep. Sarah Elfreth made the request but House Veterans’ Affairs Chair Rep. Mike Bost gaveled out, blocking consideration as Democrats warned paychecks could be missed Oct. 15. Speaker Mike Johnson said he would not bring a stand‑alone vote, calling it “pointless” because Senate Democrats would block it, while maintaining shutdown pressure and canceling House votes until at least Oct. 20 amid some GOP unease.
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📌 Key Facts
- On a Thursday conference call, Speaker Mike Johnson told House Republicans he would not bring up a stand‑alone military pay bill, calling it Democratic political cover and later saying a stand‑alone vote would be a "pointless exercise" because Senate Democrats would block it.
- Johnson is maintaining a shutdown‑pressure strategy even as some GOP members express unease about optics and want the House back in session; he canceled another week of votes and the House will not return until Oct. 20 at the earliest.
- During a House pro forma session, Rep. Sarah Elfreth (D‑Md.) sought unanimous consent to pass a stand‑alone troop‑pay bill, but House Veterans’ Affairs Chair Rep. Mike Bost (R‑Ill.), who was presiding, gaveled out before the request was completed, blocking it.
- Democrats emphasized urgency for action because Oct. 15 was cited as the date when military paychecks and other payments could be missed if no measure is passed.
- Johnson asserted Senate Democrats have rejected the House continuing resolution seven times and pointed to affected groups, citing roughly 2 million civilian federal workers and about 1.3 million active‑duty troops as reasons for his negotiating stance.
- House Majority Whip Tom Emmer called the Democrats’ unanimous‑consent maneuver a political stunt.
📰 Sources (4)
House GOP blocks Dems' military pay bill as government shutdown threatens checks
New information:
- Rep. Sarah Elfreth (D‑Md.) attempted a unanimous‑consent request to pass a stand‑alone military pay bill during a House pro forma session.
- House Veterans’ Affairs Chair Mike Bost (R‑Ill.), presiding, gaveled out before Elfreth finished, blocking the request.
- Speaker Mike Johnson said a stand‑alone vote would be a 'pointless exercise' because Senate Democrats would block it.
- Johnson asserted Senate Democrats have rejected the House CR seven times and cited affected groups (e.g., 2 million civilian workers and 1.3 million active‑duty troops).
- House Majority Whip Tom Emmer called Democrats’ floor maneuver a political stunt.
Democrats fume as Mike Johnson cancels more House votes: "They should be ashamed"
New information:
- Despite calls for a standalone measure, Johnson canceled another week of votes and the House will not return until Oct. 20 at the earliest.
- A Democratic attempt to clear a troop‑pay bill by unanimous consent during a pro forma session was blocked as Rep. Mike Bost gaveled out.
- Democrats emphasized looming Oct. 15 missed military paychecks as urgency for action.
Johnson turns up shutdown pressure on Democrats as GOP unease grows
New information:
- On a Thursday conference call, Johnson again told Republicans he would not bring up a standalone military pay bill, framing it as Democratic political cover.
- Context that Johnson is maintaining shutdown pressure strategy while some GOP members voice concern about optics and want the House back in session.